New Tricot: “Ochansensu-Su”

There are a handful of bands in Japan right now that have been hyped up in the last few years that are capable of good music but seem jussssssssssst short of being something really special. andymori was close, but chose the easy money rehashing indie-pop 101. Kinoco Hotel has the look and live show, but lacks a really great song to push them away from being a novelty. I’m still not sold on Akaiko-en. Pasupie, you are on your way. Tricot have skirted this ground before…they’ve released a handful of great songs in the past, but also never felt ready for the next level. Last month, they released the song “Oyasumi,” which finds them in standard Tricot mood – math-rock guitar playing (always a risk look) combined with overly dramatic choruses. It is a perfectly pleasant song…but that’s all.

Then came “Ochansensu-Su” this last week. The start-stop guitar, along with the pitter-patter drumming, it’s all there. But now the band isn’t overselling lyrics – all three members sing a single intelligible line together, breathlessly but with good delivery. The music, then, fluctuates between fast to slow segments, part technical showcase and part Tricot just having fun with their sound. Before, Tricot were too worried about making proper songs. Now, they just embrace all of their positive traits and come up with their best song to date. Watch above.